‘Aboyne’ tram in honour of twin town links

A tram running on the modern and popular transport system in Bordeaux has been named ‘Aboyne’ in honour of the Deeside village’s twinning links with Martignas-sur-Jalle.

The official ‘baptism’ of the new tram took place during a recent visit to Martignas - a town of 9000 which lies just to the south of the city - by a party from Aboyne.

The Mayor of Martignas, Michel Vernejoul, is also the Bordeaux metropole councillor in charge of international relations. He was keen that the twinning of Aboyne and Martignas should be honoured by the naming of a tram within the city.

Maureen Forsyth, chair of the Aboyne Twinning Association, said: “At the end of the visit, the ribbon was cut to mark the official opening of the new Aboyne tram, Number 2508.

“Christophe Duprat, the vice-president of the Bordeaux City Council in charge of transport, gave a warm, welcoming speech, as did Michel Vernejoul.

“Our local councillor and stalwart supporter of the twinning, Peter Argyle, replied on our behalf.

“The people of Aboyne can be proud to know that a tram is now crossing Bordeaux each day carrying the Lion Rampart and the words ‘Ville de ABOYNE, jumellee avec Martignas-sur-Jalle’”.